Suspects in attack, robbery of disabled Worcester woman are held without bail

Friday

Feb 28, 2014 at 4:55 PM

By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — Two people were ordered held without bail Friday after being charged with assaulting a woman with cerebral palsy Wednesday and robbing her of her lottery winnings.

Sayed D. McKenzie, 26, and Wendy J. Laporte, 38, both of 118 Country Club Blvd., Apt. 177, were arraigned in Central District Court on charges of armed robbery while masked and assault and battery on a disabled person.

Police allege in court documents that the pair followed the robbery victim to her Goldthwaite Road apartment about 4 p.m. Wednesday, after Ms. Laporte saw the woman cash a $400 winning lottery ticket at the Shell gasoline station and convenience store at 466 Lincoln St.

Mr. McKenzie is accused of approaching the woman in the parking lot of her apartment building while masked, throwing her to the ground, threatening to shoot her and stealing her money.

Mr. McKenzie's lawyer, Robert Iacovelli, said his client denied the allegations.

Not guilty pleas were entered by the court on behalf of both suspects.

Judge David B. Locke held Ms. Laporte without bail pending a dangerousness hearing Tuesday that was requested by Assistant District Attorney Roberta A. O'Brien.

Judge Locke set $50,000 cash bail on Mr. McKenzie, but revoked his $1,000 cash bail in a pending case in which he is charged with assault and battery, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and trespassing. The judge ordered Mr. McKenzie held without bail for up to 60 days on the older charges, as requested by Assistant District Attorney Marc Dupuis.

Mr. Dupuis said Mr. McKenzie has a criminal record in New Jersey that includes convictions for robbery and drug and firearm offenses. The prosecutor said surveillance videotapes from the convenience store and elsewhere helped lead police to the suspects.